Red Sox' World Series DVD hits a home run

FILM REVIEW - In the realm of historical significance, it would be mildly impossible for the Boston Red Sox to top its World Series victory in 2004.

Video: What did Manny think of the red carpet?

Bob Tremblay/Daily News staff

In the realm of historical significance, it would be mildly impossible for the Boston Red Sox to top its World Series victory in 2004.

The triumph erased 86 years of heartbreak and frustration, and the road to the championship featured an unprecedented comeback against the Evil Empire, aka the New York Yankees, a team that ever since you-know-who was traded has been hoarding World Series rings like Gollum on steroids.

That said, the Red Sox World Series’ win over the Colorado Rockies in October still tastes mighty sweet and fans get a chance to savor that victory again and again as the official 2007 World Series film became available on DVD today. The $20 disc can be purchased at retail outlets nationwide and through MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball.

The DVD features more than 75 minutes of footage and nearly 40 minutes of bonus footage. At the red carpet premiere screening of the DVD at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre Monday night, a crowd of more than 2,000 was treated to the 75-minute version. The DVD, not surprisingly, comes loaded with season highlights and interviews with players, managers and coaches.

Another bonus is the narration provided by Red Sox fan Matt Damon, who also acts. Perhaps you’ve seen one of his films. Anyway, the actor delivers the DVD’s best line. "The Red Sox are the 2007 champions," he proclaims. "Suck on it, New York."

For fans, the DVD contains a score of applaud-inducing moments, so to speak. Just don’t expect a lot of regular-season highlights, though the DVD does show the team celebrating its first division championship in 12 years. And just to rub a mound of salt in the wound, the DVD depicts the Yankees losing to clinch the victory. Look at how glum Joe Torre looks.

The DVD concentrates instead on the postseason as it shows the Red Sox sweeping the Angels and then coming back to defeat the Cleveland Indians for the American League title. Watching the Red Sox fashion yet another dramatic comeback is definitely a treat. As for detested rivals, the Indians aren’t the Yankees, but they’ll do as a victim.

While the DVD focuses on the Red Sox, it also spends plenty of time on the Rockies’ incredible season. Left for dead late in the summer, the team finished the season with a flurry of victories, winning 21 or 22 games to arrive in its first World Series in the franchise’s 13-year history. In terms of improbability, the Rockies resembled the 1967 Red Sox. Of course, Boston proved to be more competitive as they took the St. Louis Cardinals to seven games before some guy called Bob Gibson shut them down.

The sweep of the Rockies at least featured some close games, a large amount of drama and several dazzling performances, including those contributed by World Series MVP Mike Lowell, Josh Beckett, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jonathan Papelbon.

The latter provides his very own highlight reel. Watching Papelbon wave catcher Jason Varitek toward him after winning the American League championship is worth the price of the DVD alone. Then, of course, there’s his crazed dancing that looks like a Scotsman whose highland fling has flung.

While the DVD provides a collector’s item for a fan, the film is actually best enjoyed in the company of others. This way, fans can share the experience as nothing beats communal joy. While it’s unlikely a fan will be able to rustle up a crowd of 2,000, a good-sized gathering would be recommended. Bring your Red Sox cap, your favorite beverage and watch Boston become the first team to win two World Series in the 21st century.

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